ÁCIDO INDOLBUTÍRICO NO ENRAIZAMENTO DE CLONES DE SOJA PARA FINS DE MELHORAMENTO GENÉTICO

Abstract

Soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merrill) is one of the main agricultural crops worldwide, playing a strategic role in global food and energy security. In breeding programs for this species, the availability of genetic material is often limited. To meet the growing demand for more productive and better-adapted cultivars, the indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) and aloe (Aloe vera (L.) Burm. f.) application was evaluated for rooting soybean cuttings as an alternative for vegetative propagation of elite genotypes in breeding programs. Concentrations of 0, 750, 1500, and 3000 mg L⁻¹ of IBA, with and without aloe, were tested using an aeroponic system as a controlled environment for root induction. The best treatments were compared with a commercial rooting gel. Morphophysiological parameters were evaluated throughout the growth cycle, including root length, number of leaves, plant height, and seed yield. Results showed that the absence or low doses of IBA favored rooting and root development without compromising shoot growth. In contrast, high doses inhibited cutting length, indicating possible phytotoxicity. The use of aloe as an additive did not impair rooting efficiency, proving to be a viable alternative. It is concluded that stem cutting combined with the IBA use, especially at moderate doses, is an effective strategy for cloning soybean plants, helping to overcome bottlenecks in the multiplication of genetic material during critical stages of breeding. These findings provide a basis for standardizing vegetative propagation protocols in soybean cultivation, with potential for both commercial and scientific applications.